Benefits Manager

Title:Benefits Manager

Division: Finance and Administration

Department: Human Resources

FLSA Status:Exempt

Salary Range:Annual Salary

EEO Job Group: 2 E2

Position Summary

The University of Southern Indiana is accepting applications forBenefits Manager.

Oversee the direction, implementation, and maintenance of University benefits programs and manage benefits staff. Provide strategic counsel and initiatives to ensure alignment with University goals and objectives. Oversee leaves of absences (FMLA and ADA requests), worker's compensation, and unemployment.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Coordinate the design and delivery of University benefits programs, including health plans, retirement plans, life insurance, disability, and all other group and voluntary benefit plans, while working with Benefit Consultants.
  
  
• Collaborate with Benefits Consultants to evaluate and recommend enhancements to existing benefits programs and develop new programs based on trends or regulatory changes.
  
  
• Participate in area and industry benefit surveys to measure University benefit programs.
  
  
• Prepare statistical analyses and reports to support research, cost analysis, projections, and negotiations for benefits plans. Evaluate proposed negotiation items and provide recommendations.
  
  
• Ensure compliance with regulations relative to COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADAAA, worker's compensation, unemployment, and IRS requirements affecting non-ERISA welfare and retirement programs.
  
  
• Ensure reporting requirements for all governmental rules and regulations are maintained.
  
  
• Facilitate vendor management by ensuring timely communication with University staff, accurate reporting and billing, compliance monitoring, and performance assessment.
  
  
• Coordinate the development and updates of all benefit communications for University staff, including employee orientation, open enrollment, web based communication, announcements, newsletter articles, materials for meetings, and responses to employee questions and requests. Develop and deliver presentations related to benefits and other general human resources matters.
  
  
• Coordinate the implementation of new plans and options including the formulation of policies and procedures, benefits statements, plan descriptions. Assist with the development of the presentation for the Board of Trustees to provide information on plan changes and enhancements.
  
  
• Coordinate benefits review committee recommendations, including needs assessment, plan design and implementation, and vendor selection for group or voluntary benefits. Serve on appropriate University and community committees and advisory boards to maintain open communications with University staff, retirees, vendors, and other constituent groups.
  
  
• Oversee the planning and preparation of benefits related events, including the open enrollment fair, retirement and savings fair, and employee health and wellness fair, and vendor representative visits.
  
  
• Collaborate with internal HR staff, especially payroll and employment, and external staff to refine processes and communication.
  
  
• Keep informed of current trends and innovations related to benefits administration including changes federal, state, and local benefits laws and regulations to ensure compliance.
  
  
• Verify data entry of benefits information in HRIS; ensure the update of rules and system information for benefits and deductions for payroll and benefit reports.
  
  
• Conduct retirement counseling sessions with faculty and administrators and prepare retirement documents for the president and Board and retirement benefit summaries for retiring faculty and administrators.
  
  
• Ensure maintenance of the benefits section of the Human Resources webpage.
  
  
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Bachelor's degree.
  
  
• Four years experience in benefits administration.
  
  
• Supervisory experience.
  
  
• Knowledge of human resources and benefits-related laws, regulations, methods, trends, practices and techniques.
  Skill in examining and refining complex operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures required. Ability to plan and evaluate programs and implement short and long range goals.
  
  
• Ability to conduct research; to prepare and analyze comprehensive reports; and to perform statistical analysis.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative relationships required. Strong oral and written communication skills, as well as effective listening abilities.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and improve processes and to generate creative and more efficient approaches to operations.
  
  
• Strong management, organizational, and interpersonal skills; ability to handle multiple projects with demanding deadlines.
  
  
• Leadership and consensus building skills; ability to motivate, plan, and organize the work of staff and foster a team environment.
  
  
• Proficiency in using computers, including word processing, spreadsheets, email, presentation software, and web content management tools.
  
  
• Demonstrated experience with computer-based Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS).

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Certification by the Human Resource Certification Institute (PHR/SPHR) or Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP).

Regular Work Hours/Travel Requirements

About USI

The University of Southern Indiana is a public higher education institution located on a beautiful1,400-acre campus in Evansville, IN. We offer employees exceptional benefits! Benefits for thisposition include:

• Affordable medical, dental, vision, life and short term and long-term disability insurance plans.
• Retirement plan where the University makes the total contribution equivalent to 11% of annual salary.
• Full tuition fee waiver for employees/75% for spouses and dependent children.
• Vacation and sick time
• Holiday pay
• Free access to Recreation, Fitness & Wellness Center.
• Access to on-campus University Health Center and Dental Hygiene Clinic.

For more information about the benefits that USI offers, please visit www.usi.edu/hr/benefits.

• Cover Letter,
• Resume

Search Committee Chair:

If you have questions about the open position, please contact Mr. Jeffrey Sponn, search committee chair, at jsponn@usi.edu.

Best Consideration Date:

For best consideration, please submit materials by May 5, 2025.

Pre-Employment Screening

A background check will be required for employment in this position.

Authorization to Work in the United States

USI will not sponsor an employment-related visa for this position.

Interview Accommodations

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please contact the manager of Employment at mcweinzapf@usi.edu or (812) 464-1840. Contacting the manager of Employment is intended for use in seeking disability-related accommodations only. For general applicant inquiries, contact Human Resources at HumanRes@usi.edu or (812) 464-1815.

EEO Statement

USI is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.